Rugby / Bristol Bears
Bears hope to bounce back after Chiefs defeat
The next time Bristol Bears play Exeter Chiefs could be at Twickenham in the Gallagher Premiership final.
The next time the Bears play here at Ashton Gate – on the evening of Monday, May 17 against Gloucester – could be in front of fans for the first time in more than a year.
It will be Exeter who take the bragging rights to HQ if this pair of teams do meet in the last weekend of June, with the Devonians and defending Premiership champions beating Bristol 12-20 at Ashton Gate on Friday evening.
The opening 15 minutes saw Exeter dominate possession before Bristol took the lead through an Andy Uren try against the run of play.
Siale Piatau supplied the pass and Uren initially appeared to be tackled before rising Terminator-like from the floor off one knee and continuing to the line.
But it was to be one of the Bears’ best moments in a disappointing game which saw Max Malins showing that fly-half is probably not his position and a high turnover count conspiring against Pat Lam’s men.
Exeter opened their account with 15 minutes of the first half remaining as Sam Skinner dived for the line following a period of Chiefs’ forwards being camped out on Bristol’s line.
Their second try of the first half saw Tom O’Flaherty step inside and make the line after being fed by Sam Simmonds.
Exeter’s patience paid off for their first ty of the second half, working the ball from the 22 to close range where Vermeulen dived over and was judged to have touched down.
Bears scored a late try thanks to Luke Morahan profiting from some Charles Piatau magic but it was nothing more than a consolation.
Main photo: JMP
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